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Hazlewood - near Pittsburg Pa.
Christmas day 1864
My dear Sumner,
At this time of the year, when family ties seem drawn more closely, I have been thinking of you very often; and have felt very sad in knowing you to be separated so far and under such painful circumstances from your dear ones at home. Your cousin Mary and I would gladly have sent you a Box [sic], containing some of the good cheer of the season. But I see from the "Prison Regulations", which I have had sent to me, that it would not be allowed. Nor, as I understand them, can money be sent to you. If I am mistaken in this, and you should need some at any time, you must let me know how it may be sent. I have received your letters, and am much pleased to hear from you at all times. I wonder that you have not heard from home. I have not myself heard either directly or indirectly since I wrote to you, and feel anxious. You must write, and let me know, when you get a letter, and I will do the same. It would give me much pleasure to visit you, but I fear that for the present it is impracticable. I do not, however give up the hope of seeing you before you return South; and should there be at any time a prospect of your exchange, you must let me know as soon s you can, and, if it can be done, I will get a permit to visit you. In the meantime when you write give my love to your father and mother, and tell them they are often in my thoughts. Ask them to let friends at Hermitage know that we are all doing as well as usual at Hazlewwod. I hope very soon to send you our photographs to bring ourselves before you more visibly. And you can take them, or if you have an opportunity, send them South. Your cousin H. will I know be pleased to see them.
Let me hear from you as often as you feel like writing, and believe me Your affect [sic] cousin, H. Burgwin
How do they call you at home! When I saw you last, you were a very little boy, and they called you 'Sumner'

Hazlewood - near Pittsburg Pa.
Christmas day 1864
My dear Sumner,
At this time of the year, when family ties seem drawn more closely, I have been thinking of you very often; and have felt very sad in knowing you to be separated so far and under such painful circumstances from your dear ones at home. Your cousin Mary and I would gladly have sent you a Box [sic], containing some of the good cheer of the season. But I see from the "Prison Regulations", which I have had sent to me, that it would not be allowed. Nor, as I understand them, can money be sent to you. If I am mistaken in this, and you should need some at any time, you must let me know how it may be sent. I have received your letters, and am much pleased to hear from you at all times. I wonder that you have not heard from home. I have not myself heard either directly or indirectly since I wrote to you, and feel anxious. You must write, and let me know, when you get a letter, and I will do the same. It would give me much pleasure to visit you, but I fear that for the present it is impracticable. I do not, however give up the hope of seeing you before you return South; and should there be at any time a prospect of your exchange, you must let me know as soon s you can, and, if it can be done, I will get a permit to visit you. In the meantime when you write give my love to your father and mother, and tell them they are often in my thoughts. Ask them to let friends at Hermitage know that we are all doing as well as usual at Hazlewwod. I hope very soon to send you our photographs to bring ourselves before you more visibly. And you can take them, or if you have an opportunity, send them South. Your cousin H. will I know be pleased to see them.
Let me hear from you as often as you feel like writing, and believe me Your affect [sic] cousin, H. Burgwin
How do they call you at home! When I saw you last, you were a very little boy, and they called you 'Sumner'